Illinois AG, Federal Trade Commission oppose hospital merger

CHICAGO (AP) - A proposed merger of two of the largest hospital systems in the Chicago area faces increasing opposition.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the Federal Trade Commission on Monday sought to block the merger of Advocate Health Care and NorthShore University HealthSystem in U.S. District Court in Chicago. They are seeking a preliminary injunction to delay the merger until the FTC can complete a full antitrust review.

The FTC issued an administrative complaint Friday alleging a merger would raise prices by reducing competition in the suburban Chicago North Shore area.

The chief executives of Advocate and NorthShore say the merger would improve care and make it more affordable. They'll fight the preliminary injunction and say they are disappointed Madigan opposes the deal given that Illinois regulators have approved it.